Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Pickles

This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Pickles takes classic meatloaf to the next level! Juicy seasoned ground beef is packed with crispy bacon, melty cheddar cheese, and tangy dill pickles, then finished with a sweet-and-savory burger-style glaze. It has all the flavors of a loaded bacon cheeseburger in a cozy, sliceable meatloaf.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Meatloaf

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup finely chopped dill pickles
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

🍅 Burger Glaze

• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp pickle juice
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

For Topping

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2–3 tbsp chopped dill pickles
• 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Make the Meat Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, chopped pickles, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.

Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing so the meatloaf stays tender.

3. Shape the Meatloaf

Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and shape it into a compact loaf.

For an extra-cheesy center, spread half of the beef mixture into the pan, add a little extra cheddar and chopped pickles in the middle, then cover with the remaining beef mixture and seal the edges.

4. Add the Glaze

Whisk together ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

Spread about half of the glaze over the meatloaf.

5. Bake

Bake for approximately 50–65 minutes, depending on the thickness of the loaf.

During the final 10–15 minutes, brush with the remaining glaze and sprinkle the top with shredded cheddar.

Continue baking until the cheese is melted and the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

6. Finish & Rest

Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Top with crispy bacon and chopped dill pickles.

🥒 The Pickle Secret

Don’t drain the pickle flavor completely! Adding a tablespoon of pickle juice to the glaze gives the meatloaf that unmistakable tangy cheeseburger flavor. For even more pickle goodness, serve extra dill pickle slices alongside each piece.

🧀 Serving Ideas

Serve thick slices with:

• Crispy oven fries
• Roasted broccoli
• Coleslaw
• Pickle spears
• Green salad
• Cauliflower mash
• Air-fryer potatoes

For a fun twist, place a slice of the meatloaf on a toasted low-carb bun and turn it into a bacon cheeseburger meatloaf sandwich.

⭐ Pro Tips

• Use 80/20 ground beef for a juicy meatloaf.
• Pat the pickles dry before adding them so they don’t release too much liquid.
• Freshly shredded cheddar melts beautifully.
• Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to keep the cheese and juices inside.
• For a stronger burger flavor, add a little extra mustard and pickle juice to the glaze.